Lightweight Gear for the Mountain Man

by
posted on February 21, 2012
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
201222114383-lightweight_gear_mountain_hunting_home.jpg

Want to hunt up high where the sheep, goats and early-season elk live? Along with a little summer exercise, this lightweight clothing and gear will help get you there.

1. We found Sitka Gear’s Stormfront Lite Jacket and Pant offer a much better range of motion and comfort compared to the rigidity of other raingear. They’re very packable, feature welded zippers and together weigh less than 2 pounds.

2. Cabela’s Polartec Power Dry base layers are moisture-wicking and coated in an anti-microbial treatment so you don’t arrive at the summit with that “not so fresh” feeling.

3. At 5 pounds, 1 ounce, Schnee’s Hunter II boots lack the heft of traditional pac boots. An aggressive sole prevents slipping down the mountain and a removable felt/wool quilted liner warms the toes at altitude.

4. Leica says its 18.9-ounce, 8x32 Ultravid not only sports great glass but is the lightest 8x32 binocular on the market.

5. The Buck Commander BlackTimber pack boasts 2,557 cubic inches of cargo space efficiently arranged in an assortment of pockets. An adjustable waist strap adds load-bearing support and MOLLE-compatible webbing allows for the attachment of accessories.

Latest

Shells And Cutaways
Shells And Cutaways

Field Tested: BOSS Copper Shotshells

With bismuth and tungsten now being in short supply and extra-expensive, BOSS Shotshells switched to copper pellets for its waterfowl loads. What can you expect performance-wise from this new shot type? Read on.

Savings Aimed at Waterfowlers

Some of the industry’s finest are offering special promotions on shotshells designed for waterfowl season. Opening day arrives in a few short weeks, which makes the timing of these rebates ideal for hunters whose ammo inventory is a little light.

#SundayGunday: Real Avid Ratchet Rests

On this week's #SundayGunday, we’re checking out the Ratchet Rest adjustable-height shooting bags, from Real Avid. Available in three sizes, purchasable separately or together, Ratchet Rests are built to provide front and rear support for a rifle with easy elevation control, thanks to a unique ratcheting system. Learn more about it in this exclusive video.

Colorado Right to Hunt Amendment Makes the November Ballot

Colorado voters will decide this November whether there should be a constitutional right to hunt and fish in the state constitution. Initiative 302, officially titled the Constitutional Right to Hunt and Fish, cleared its final procedural hurdle on August 20, 2026, when the Colorado Secretary of State’s Elections Division certified that proponents had gathered enough valid signatures.

In Memoriam: Randy Brooks: 1949-2026

Randy Brooks, creator of the famous Barnes X Bullet and the 2016 NRA Golden Bullseye Pioneer Award winner, passed away peacefully on the morning of Aug. 27, 2026. He was 77.

Focus on the Conservation’s Future—Groundbreaking Lessons in Arkansas

True outdoor curriculum is being offered to thousands of students in Arkansas, thanks to rededicated efforts under the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s (AGFC) outdoor education partnership with the Arkansas Governor’s Office and Arkansas Department of Education.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.